The two world-class openers Rohit Sharma and David Warner, during the live Instagram session, mocked Shikhar Dhawan for not facing the first ball of the match. Shikhar Dhawan opens the innings with Rohit Sharma for Team India. And with David Warner, he opened the innings for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Rohit and Warner had said that Dhawan didn’t like to face the first ball of the match if the pacer is bowling. After they passed the remark, former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan questioned the southpaw in a live session on Instagram.
Yes, I do not like taking strike on the first ball of the match: Shikhar Dhawan
The 34-year-old agreed with the fact revealed by Rohit but said that condition restricts to the only first ball. But he brushed off the fact that he wouldn’t want to face the fast bowlers. He asserted that he could take on the fast bowlers.
“No, no I disagree with that. It’s not like I don’t want to face fast bowlers. Everyone has their views, I am an opening batsman I have done that role for India for eight years now, so obviously I play the fast bowlers,” Dhawan said.
“If I do not face them in the first over, then I eventually do in the second over,” he added.
“Yes, I do not like taking strike on the first ball of the match and I am honest about it but if any youngster like Prithvi (Shaw) comes in the side and he is not comfortable taking the first ball then obviously I would take the strike.
Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma became the regular opening partner from the ICC Champions Trophy 2013. Since then, they have developed great communication while running between the wickets and they very well know each others game plan.
“But with Rohit, it started in Champions Trophy where I told him to take the strike, and that sort of continued as I don’t like to change things much,” the left-handed batsman said.
The duo is one of the most successful Indian opening pairs, scoring 4802 runs in 107 ODI innings. After Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, they hold the record of highest opening pair runs for India.